The Framing Effect and Skin Conductance Responses

Individuals often rely on simple heuristics when they face complex choice situations under uncertainty. Traditionally, it has been proposed that cognitive processes are the main driver to evaluate different choice options and finally to reach a decision. Growing evidence, however, highlights a strong interrelation between judgment and decision-making (JDM) on the one hand, and emotional processes on the other hand. This also seems to apply to judgmental heuristics, i.e. decision-processes that are typically considered to be fast and intuitive. In this study, participants are exposed to different probabilities of receiving an unpleasant electric shock. Information about electric shock probabilities is either positively or negatively framed. Integrated skin conductance responses (ISCRs) while waiting for electric shock realization are used as an indicator for participants' emotional arousal. This measure is compared to objective probabilities. I find evidence for a relation between emotional body reactions measured by ISCRs and the framing effect. Under negative frames, participants show significantly higher ISCRs while waiting for an electric shock to be delivered than under positive frames. This result might contribute to a better understanding of the psychological processes underlying JDM. Further studies are necessary to reveal the causality underlying this finding, i.e. whether emotional processes influence JDM or vice versa.

Connect

Newsletteranmeldung

Updates from the Kiel Institute

Updates from the Kiel Institute

If you would like us to keep you informed about news or events, please register here.

We would like to address you personally, hence providing the following information would be helpful.

Ms.Mr.

Firstname

Name

Organization

Yes, I would like to be informed about news or events of the Kiel Institute and receive this information to the given email address. I can revoke this consent at any time by sending an email to E-Mail Address protected. Please enable Javascript.. By clicking the ‘Subscribe’ button, I consent to the processing of my data by the Kiel Institute for the stated purpose. I have read the privacy policy statement.

Confirm
(Required)

An Error occured while subscribing

Thank you for subscribing to our information service. Please check your email and confirm the subscription.